Borja Iglesias
A classic reference striker with a poacher's instincts — he holds the ball up, brings others into play and punishes high defensive lines with well-timed runs.
Playing Style Summary
Borja Iglesias is a traditional centre-forward: strong, good with his back to goal and calm in front of it. He gives his team a fixed reference point to play into, protects the ball under contact and sets it for runners. He is not quick, but he reads the timing of runs in behind well enough to exploit high lines. Back at Celta, the club where he came through the reserve team, he has been a regular goalscorer and returned to the Spain squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Defining Traits
Hold-Up and Lay-Off
Borja receives with his back to goal, uses his body to shield the ball and lays it off to midfielders or wingers arriving in support.
Poacher's Positioning
Many of his goals come from being in the right place — reading deflections, goalkeeper errors and loose balls inside the box.
Timing Against High Lines
He is not fast, but he times his runs off the shoulder of the last defender to exploit space behind high defensive lines.
Calm Finishing
Composed one-v-one with goalkeepers — he picks his finish, including chips and placed shots, rather than relying on power.
Strengths
- Hold-up play and ball protection under contact
- Penalty-box positioning and anticipation
- Composure in one-v-one finishes
- Reading space behind high defensive lines
- Linking play to bring wide players and midfielders into the attack
Limitations
- Limited pace and acceleration over short distances
- Less involved in sustained pressing than more mobile forwards
- Now in his thirties and managing minutes after an injury early in 2026-27
More Spain players
See the full squad →Unai Simón
“Spain's tournament goalkeeper — a calm, commanding shot-stopper with a big-game record in shootouts and finals, and the composure to start his team's build-up from deep.”
David Raya
“The modern sweeper-keeper — a three-time Golden Glove winner whose distribution and starting positions are as important to Arsenal as his saves.”
Joan Garcia
“Barcelona's number one — an elite shot-stopper turned sweeper behind Europe's highest defensive line, and the Zamora winner in his first season at the club.”
Marcos Llorente
“Simeone's most versatile weapon — a former holding midfielder turned right-back whose pace, stamina and line-breaking runs make him a transition threat from anywhere on the right.”
Pedro Porro
“An attacking right-back with a playmaker's range — dangerous with set pieces and crosses, comfortable inverting into midfield, and the provider of Spain's World Cup-winning goal.”
Marc Pubill
“A 1.90m hybrid defender who moves between right-back and centre-back without changing his game — physical in duels, aggressive in the air and comfortable defending space behind him.”
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